Three Things

1. THIS sneak peek of Undercover Boss (on TONIGHT on CBS), which features the CEO of Stella & Dot, Jessica Herrin. She is absolutely amazing and a huge part of why I love my job! Make sure you guys watch tonight!!

2. My new foundation (and brush) are seriously amazing. I've had overly oil skin most of my life, that has switched to combination, and now it's on the combination/dry side, but I still tend to get breakouts. I tried this foundation and couldn't believe how much I loved it! It provides a ton of hydration, good coverage, and stays all day. It gives me a dewy glow, that doesn't look greasy and I can't recommend it enough!

3. The fun metallic magnets on our garage fridge. We got this fridge for free a couple years ago and have dubbed it the "party fridge". It houses an array of adult beverages, but also serves as storage for extra food when we throw parties, which is often. I found a random set of alphabet magnets in the garage, so one day I decided to spray paint them gold (but them I needed to buy another pack so I could get another "R" - the pack only had one of each letter. Womp womp.) Anyways, the plain gold was just ok, so I did random diagonal stripes of rose gold nail polish. (Copper Penny by Essie.) It adds a fun, little punch to our beat up, dingy, freebie fridge ;)

What are YOUR three things?? Let me know, and have a great weekend!

On being the icky salesgirl // a very personal note on why I am in direct sales

So I got a bit of a bummer email a few days ago, and it really, really bothered me. I sat there, extremely upset after reading, and re-reading it over and over again. I've gotten a couple of less-than-friendly emails in the years I've been blogging and have for the most part, ignored, or emailed them back, and then deleted the original email forever so I couldn't go back and read/dwell on it anymore. I will do the same with this email, but wanted to clarify a few things, in case anyone else is thinking anything along the same lines.

From the email I received:

"So, I USED to read your blog all the time, and loved it but I just can't anymore. I'm done. Your family is beautiful, and I do enjoy reading about your girls and your parties, but after the last time you mentioned your Stella & Dot business I am completely checking out, and I wanted to give you the courtesy of letting you know why. I don't like being sold something all the time. If I want to buy something from you, I will. Direct selling is a pyramid scheme that I have zero interest in. Stop shoving it down my neck."

Ouch. That stung. THIS is the last time I mentioned Stella & Dot, in one of my "three things" posts. I truly only mention things I love for those posts, and I absolutely adore the Enlighten bracelet, and all the good it does. We make a reduced commission on those bracelets, and the commission I do make I donate back to the charity that bracelet supports, Every Mother Counts. I don't really think I need to explain that, but there ya go.

A note on direct selling: It is fact entrepreneurship. Individuals take a small part of a big business and make it their own. It is the path less taken, because frankly I think it scares some people. I think so many people have a bad taste in their mouth about it because they think you keep putting money in, in, in and never gain anything for yourself. My husband thought that and was not on board with me joining Stella & Dot. I took a leap of faith, and did it anyway. I knew I could be great at it. Even though Tony wasn't thrilled he wanted me to be happy, so I signed up. Then the paychecks started rolling in, and he was sold ;) Multilevel marketing does change lives in a positive way for many people, including myself, which is why I'm so passionate about it! I am always happy to support others who have chosen this path - we are in some small way a tribe. There are so many wonderful direct selling companies, and I'm not sure why so many people feel the need to knock them. The total dollar amount I've put into my business is $199 (the startup fee) but out of that I got $350 worth of jewelry and accessories that I picked out myself, so if I never did a darn thing with the business at least I'd have a bunch of jewelry that I wanted anyway. The $199 I put into was well worth it (I would have paid ten times more!) because the money I make with Stella & Dot has allowed me to continue to stay at home with my girls, my number one priority.

Stella & Dot is my personal main source of income. When you support my business, you're helping me pay for private preschool for Coco. You're helping me pay for Leila's golf lessons. You're helping me pay for dance for both girls. You're helping me pay for my gym membership, and so much more.

This "job" is so much more than a job. It's a passion, and it is something I truly love. It's helped me make some absolutely amazing friends, go on amazing trips, and given me some incredibly fun perks and incentives like gorgeous shoes, lots of extra spending money, exclusive bags and jewelry and more. It gives me the flexibility to make my own schedule, be my own boss, and put as much (or as little) into as I want. I work hard, and I have fun with it! My job is to hang out with awesome women, drink wine with them, make new friends, show off a product I love, and give tons of it away for free.

I don't ever want my readers to feel like I'm being an icky salesgirl, or trying to shove anything down your throat. My apologies if any part of this blog has ever come off like that. Please know that I am incredibly passionate about the company I work for. On my own blog I feel that it is a safe place to talk about it on occasion. Let me know if you have any questions at all, and I appreciate you taking the time to read this.

xo,

Heather

Three Things

1. Our new engravables! Right now these are only a soft launch, and you can only order them through me. They are sterling silver, or 12k gold plated, and absolute perfection. SO many options, and at a really great price point. Shoot me an email if you'd like more details!

2. The Fault in our Stars, the movie. My book club read it last year, and that book WRECKED me!! So beautifully written, but just heartbreaking. Well, some girlfriends and I saw the movie version of it the other night. I thought knowing everything that was about to happen would have made it easier to handle. WRONG. It was beautiful, and perfect, and heartwrenching.

3. And while we're at time sucks, THIS BuzzFeed of "Things that are so weird once you really think about it" is absolutely hilarious!! I spend way too much time on that site...

What are YOUR three things? And tell me - do you spend as much time on BuzzFeed as I do?? ;)

bits of glitter: life lately

 I've been happily busy with Stella & Dot! Lots of trunk shows, and holding some personal styling sessions. I was a Stella & Dot stylist four years ago for only a few months, when Coco was a newborn. I jumped back in about two months ago, and have been having a blast with it!

I was really excited to have one of my Instagram pictures included on a piece they featured all over their social media accounts too (so not a big deal to most people, but I was super flattered!)

I had an awesome out of town trunk show (at my cousin's house!) and it was seriously just too fun - I still kind of pinch myself that I get PAID to style women and have a blast! (Email me if you want details so you can get in on this too!)

Also, how fabulous is my Auntie Mary rocking some SD jewels?!



























My life motto right now is "Can't Stop, Won't Stop." so this shirt by August Ink is perfect!!

I'm working hard, keeping busy, and also having tons of fun doing lots of work for both girls classrooms. Life is good!

 I feel like Coco is just  at THE sweetest darn age.

She is so stinking cute, and I love hearing the funny, random things that she says.

Her favorite food right now is salad. SO weird, but it's awesome!

 I curled her hair for the first time the other day.

Seriously, is she not the cutest???

She also recently discovered Coco Chanel perfumes and wants them all.

Um, me too.

 Leila is growing up so quickly!! She recently received an award at school for "Excellent Mathematician" - thankfully so far she is not taking after me in the math department.

She adores reading, which Tony and I both love, so she sees us reading often. I think the girls seeing us read for pleasure has helped encourage their own love of reading. Leila and Tony have been reading "The Hobbit" together for months and are just about finished.

She's still my little fashonista! This child loves clothes!!

More reading :)

Softball is in full effect, and Leila is still loving it. This year she's really been enjoying pitching!

(Can't have just a "Tony" category or he'd get mad, lol!)

We recently went to Twain Harte for a snow weekend, only to have NO snow. We found some about an hour further north, but we still had tons of fun ice skating, playing games and hanging out with family.

Tony on the other hand got tons of snow when he want to Lake Tahoe with the guys from work about a week after we got back from Twain Harte. Lucky duck!

A couple weeks ago we went to San Francisco for a nearby day away. We had so much fun flying kites, eating fancy food at the Ferry Building, and just hanging out. We love the city!

What are some bits of glitter for you lately?

Mystery Hostess Party

I'm having an online Stella & Dot party and YOU'RE invited! And the best part? Someone who places an order will receive all of the hostess rewards. (Free and half price jewels, bags and accessories!)

You may place an order HERE through 4/6. Once all orders have been placed, a winner will be drawn at random for the hostess rewards. If there's something you've had your eye on, now is the time to grab it. (Shameless plug: pretty please "like" my new Glitter and Gloss for Stella & Dot FB page - I would be SO grateful!!!)

Might I suggest...

...or even build a beautiful charm necklace!

Also, if you spend $50 or more you can shop the following items at half off (through 3/30)

One winner will take home ALL of the rewards. Happy shopping, and please email me if you have any questions at all! PS - I have an exclusive newsletter, just for my Stella & Dot business - you can sign up HERE!

BIG Announcement!

Friends, I am SO, so excited to announce that I am now an Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot. It's been something I've been thinking about for a really long time, and I finally decided to go for it again...

Long-time blog readers may remember that I was (very) briefly a Stella & Dot stylist about four years ago. I did really well with the business, but was also incredibly busy with my own family life. Coco was an infant, Leila a toddler, and my old business Angel Face Designs was thriving. As much as I loved Stella & Dot I just didn't have the time for it.

Fast forward to now: Leila is in school full-time, Coco is in preschool part time. My blog keeps me busy, but for the first time in years I've got some time for myself. Not much, but some. I have a passion for this jewelry, and the company behind it, and I couldn't be more excited to pick up my career with them, right where things left off.

BUT my sister's co-worker's aunt sells Stella & Dot, so why should I shop with you?? I *know* there are a bunch of Stella & Dot stylists out there. That's because there are so many of us that love this company, and completely stand behind this amazing line. Why shop with me? Because for every $75 you spend with me (within a single transaction) I will send you a Glitter & Gloss lip product of your choice, completely free. Seriously, I will. Any lip product from my shop you want is yours when you spend $75 or more within a single transaction, either on my site, or at a Stella & Dot party. Want to host a party? I'll give you a lippie for hosting too. (Seriously!) If you're local to me, and want to book a party email me! (Also, if you're local and want an invite to my big re-launch party shoot me an email!)

NO, this blog won't turn into one giant Stella & Dot ad, but (as many of you requested via the reader survey) I will be attempting to do more style posts, and I'll of course be showing off my S&D jewels, but really that's nothing new. I wear them all. the. time.

What does this mean for the lip line? Honestly, the lip line has been a very humbling experience for me. It sells incredibly well when people are able to see it in person, but only so-so online. I get it - it's a higher end product, and people want to be able to see it and experience it for themselves before purchasing. No hard feelings there. I've had multiple offers to sell it in boutiques, but if I were to sell it wholesale I'd be making next to nothing, and for the amount of time it takes up, I just can't. The lip line will be available until it sells out.

I hope you guys will be excited for me, as I am really excited for myself! If you're willing and able to place an order with me HERE, I would absolutely love it, and if you're willing and able to share my store link I would appreciate it so much! Don't forget, free lippies with $75+ purchase (and there's no limit! Spend $150, get two lippies, spend $225, get three, etc. etc. etc.)

Have a GREAT day, and if you have any questions at all, please ask away! XO! (And if you could do me the huge favor of spreading the word it would mean the world to me!!)

Summer Getaway Essentials

Summer, and all the fun that comes with it is right around the corner...

Whether you've got an amazing beach vacation or just a quick day trip planned, don't forget these Summer Getaway Essentials to keep you fabulous:

1. A great hat will keep unwanted UV rays off of your face and scalp, mask dirty, beachy hair, and hide your blushing cheeks if you read my #3 essential.

2. Beach-inspired jewelry. I'm really loving the summer line by Stella & Dot. Chic, fabulous, casual enough to wear with a great cover up at the beach, yet still dressy enough to wear to a Summer soiree. 

3. Something juicy to read on the beach. If you can't indulge in a trashy novel on vacation, then when else can you? I'll admit it - I am loving the Fifty Shades of Grey series. While I could do without all of the *ahem* spanking, I really am loving the story. If that's not quite your style, though Sophie Kinsella writes some of my favorite beach-reads!

4. A tinted lip balm with spf. Not only will it protect and moisurize your lips, but it will give them some color too. My favorites are by Revlon, Dior and Philosophy.

5. A great tote that can double as your purse and beach carryall, all summer long. I'm loving The Lulu Tote (great name!) by Stephanie Johnson

6. Oversized sunglasses. Big, old sunglasses are a necessary item 365 days a year. If you don't have a pair yet, what are you waiting for?!

7. Good-sized traveler for all of your toiletries. Roomie enough for all your beauty must-haves, I really love the ML Traveler by Stephanie Johnson!

8. Cute towels! Target has the best selection of towels, and they're all under $20. Grab a few!

.....and sunscreen (should) go without saying. I use THIS one for my body, THIS one for my face and THIS one for my girls.

Do you have any fun trips planned this summer?? I want to know! xo!!